Everything You Need to Know About Coffee Makers

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FAQ:

If you've only lived on Starbucks for years and have no idea where to even start, we have you covered with a few of the most commonly asked questions about coffee and coffee makers. See below for our answers to all your most commonly asked questions — then get brewing!

A. The Behmor Connected Customizable Temperature Control Coffee Maker, which is number six in our roundup, can brew coffee at up to 210 degrees Fahrenheit. This is higher than the recommended temperature for optimal brewing of most coffee beans (which is somewhere between 195 degrees at the lowest and 205 at the highest), but the Behmor allows you to digitally control the temperature down to a single degree, so you can choose to keep it at exactly 205 or go all the way up to 210 if you’d like.

How do you clean a coffee maker without vinegar?

A. There are two options when it comes to cleaning without vinegar. One is to buy an inexpensive universal descaling solution like this one, which can be mixed with water and run through your machine, and the second option is to use a one-to-one ratio of water to lemon juice. Just fill your water chamber all the way up with the solution, and run it through. We also suggest running it with plain water afterwards to remove any residue that could affect flavor.

How do you unclog a coffee maker?

A. There are quite a few issues that can cause a clogged coffee maker, so it depends where the problem is on your machine. If it’s just generally running slower than usual, try descaling it with a solution of equal parts water to white vinegar (or lemon juice, as a backup). To do this, just fill your tank up with solution and run the coffee maker as normal, followed by another round with just plain water to rinse.

If the problem is more acute and the water isn’t leaving the tank, check the tank’s drain hole and the spout where the water drips out onto the grounds. Poke the openings with a small wire or toothpick to unclog. If neither of these things work, check out this tutorial to learn more about your options.

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Q. How many tablespoons of coffee do I put in for 6 cups?

A. Coffee cups are measured a little different than regular cups. Whereas the normal volume for a cup of liquid is 8 ounces, coffee cups are technically measured at 6 ounces. This is taken into account on most carafes, which are marked by 6 increments.

So for 6 cups of coffee (based on your carafe markings), you’ll want to use one tablespoon of fresh grounds per cup. That makes for a total of 6 tablespoons, or just under a third of a cup.

Q. How much coffee do you use for 10 cups?

A. Following the formula above, you should use one half-cup plus 2 tablespoons of coffee (equal to 10 tablespoons total) for 10 six-ounce cups of water.

Q. What is the best brand of coffee?

A. Our favorite coffee brand is La Colombe. They offer a wide variety of blends at a great price point, and they can be ordered online. Check out our in-depth roundup of our favorite coffees here.

Q. What is the best grocery store coffee?

A. If you’re looking to go up a step or two from the classic Folgers or Maxwell House blends, Peet’s coffee is a great place to start. It’s relatively ubiquitous and available at most grocery stores around the country. Our favorite is the Major Dickason’s Blend, which can also be found on Amazon. It has a bold, round flavor that offers a pretty smooth morning cup.

Q. What brand of instant coffee is best?

A. The answer to this question depends on what you’re using it for. When drinking instant coffee, we prefer using Starbucks’ pre-portioned VIA packets — specifically the Columbia blend — which is a little less bitter than most. However, when using instant coffee for baking (we like to add a few teaspoons to chocolate cakes and brownies for added richness), we opt for Jacobs Kronung granules. They dissolve well and don’t leave a bitter aftertaste in frostings or baked goods.

Danielle St. PierreFood & Drink EditorDanielle is the food & drink editor for BestProducts.com, where she's been voraciously eating and drinking her way through the best oyster bars and pinot noir wines, and putting her knowledge as a cocktail consultant and connoisseur to use; Her work can also be spotted on Thrillist and Delish.